The bulky knit rug I shared last month has been so popular, I thought I’d share a variation on the pattern for using it as a blanket. The polyester yarn used is perfect for a knit throw project because it’s washable. As an owner of two dogs, an often-used throw is going to get dog hair (and maybe a little drool) on it no matter what, so washability is a must for a living room project like this! Maybe human parents out there can relate… ;)
Exhibit A. The original rug pattern, & my dog Woodrow.
Bulky Knit Throw Pattern
Constructed just like the bulky knit rug, this blanket is knit on huge (size 50 US) needles with doubled up yarn. Three panels are knit and then sewn together to form the larger blanket size.
Abbreviations
CO – cast on
k – knit
p – purl
sts – stitches
BO – bind off
Supplies
1 pair size 50 US knitting needles
4 skeins Bernat Blanket yarn (300g/10.5 oz.) in Pale Grey
tapestry needle for sewing panels & weaving in ends
scissors
Gauge: 1 stitch and 1.5 rows/inch in stockinette stitch
The Pattern
This whole pattern is knit holding two strands of yarn together to achieve a bulkier “yarn.”
Panel 1 & 3: Stockinette Panel
CO 20 sts
1. k across
2. p across
Repeat rows 1 & 2 until panel measures 5 feet. BO all sts and weave in ends.Panel 2: Garter Panel
CO 20 sts
k all rows
Continue until panel measures 5 feet. BO all sts and weave in ends.Using a tapestry needle, sew panels 1 & 3 to either side of panel 2. Weave in all ends to finish.
looks perfect for snuggling under with a good book!
This looks awesome and easy. As a “knewbie” are size 50 needles relatively easy to handle? I know you have this tagged as a beginner pattern, but I also don’t want to get frustrated trying to manipulate giant knitting needles. Thanks. :)
I think so, especially for brand new “knewbies”! If you’ve been knitting on more standard sizes for awhile, adjusting to the biggest size is a little awkward, which is what I found. Instead of knitting with your fingers/tips of your fingers, you’re using your whole hands, and even some of your forearms, to manipulate the needles. I think uber-bulky knitting isn’t for everyone, but the finished product is really fascinating to look at & touch.
I pinned this when you posted it, because I like it so much! And so applicable for pet owners (like me!)
Aww, thanks, Julie! :D
Love the bulky throw and would like to knit it – can you tell me what ply the wool is you have used – just want to get the same look as you have thanks
Hi Rosemary – it’s single ply, but I’m holding two strands together. Here’s a link to the yarn I used: http://www.yarnspirations.com/yarn/blanket.html. Best of luck! -Heidi
Thanks Heidi :)
What length of needles did you use?
14 inches. If you’ve got a local JoAnn’s, they’re the plastic size 50 needles from Boye that they carry: http://www.joann.com/boye-jumbo-knitting-needle-pair-14in-size-50-/8215881.html. If you don’t like stitches bunching up at the end of rows, I recommend using circular needles. I don’t mind on a quick project like this, but I know some people really hate that!
Where could I buy size 50 needles that are large enough for 60 stitches so I can knit in the round?
I found some at Joann’s – the brand was Boye! 👍🏻
Hello! Very, very knewbie knitter here, as in this is my first project. I just relized that I have size 50 circular needles, can I still do this project?
Oh dear, sorry Heidi! I just read the post above mine!
No worries! :)
Hi! What size tapestry needle can be used to sew the panels together? Also, do I just kind of put them next to each other and sew it up, or should I watch a tutorial? Thanks so much!
Whatever you’re most comfortable with. Some knitters are new to sewing, so the video may be helpful if you’re a stickler for technique. But it’s your blanket – follow your heart! ;)
Hi Heidi!
I just stumbled upon your “bulky Throw” pattern. I’m a very basic knitter but would love to give this a try! Do you have s video of you sawing the three lives together once knitted? I found your video on
YouTube where you state that you used the “mattress” stitch. I’m unfamiliar with this and what size/type needle you used.
Here’s a tutorial that explains how to do the Mattress Stitch. It’s important know that it’s a sewing stitch, and not a knitting stitch. Here’s a video & photo tutorial I did that walks you through it: https://www.allfreeknitting.com/video-basics/how-to-knit-the-mattress-stitch. Let me know if you run into any hiccups! -Heidi :)
Hi Heidi,
I bought the 4 skeins of yarn as the pattern suggested. I’m no t even finished with the first panel and have already added the last two skeins of yarn on. I’m concerned I will have to buy several more. Any thoughts as to why I’m going through the yarn so quickly?
Vicky
Hi Vicky! Happy to help. :) The first question to ask to figure out what’s up is always: Are you getting gauge?
What’s the listed yardage/weight listed on your skeins?
Heidi,
So happy I found this pattern first off-looks so pretty and I can’t wait to finish… what is the gauge for the yarn you used? I want to use Patons Cobbles yarn I got in a value pack from JoAnn’s and I’m not sure if it would be better with the double strand as you suggested or with just the one.
Thanks!
The gauge measures: 4 stitches and 6 rows = 4 inches in stockinette. I noted the gauge on Ravelry and skipped it here – thanks for asking! I’ll add that to the pattern now. :)
Hello, I am going to start this project. It looks great! Thanks so much for posting it. Can you please tell me which Bernat Blanket Yarn you used? It looks like there are several different kinds of Bernat Blanket yarn.
Yep, you’ll need four 300g skeins Bernat Blanket yarn in Pale Grey. You’ll have to double check the yardage on the labels to confirm. Bernat Blanket has gotten so popular that they’ve released tons of variations on it. Just remember that 300*4= 1200g when you go shopping. Hope this helps! Good luck. :)
Thanks so much for the information
Hi, would I be able to make this with t shirt ribbon yarn?
Sure – which yarn are you thinking of using? I can try to give you my best tips for success. :)
Hi Heidi! Thank you for your continued help on this project! I don’t know if I’m getting the gauge or not. I’ve ripped it out and started over probably five times. I noticed on the picture you have with your dog laying on yours that on the Purl panels you can see the Purl stitch and then a row of the knit stitch. Mine you can only see the Purl stitch but not a row of the Knit stitch. I like the look of yours better. The opposite side only reflects the Knit stitch which I think it should. I couldn’t find the blanket Bernat yarn in the color you used. I ended up buying Bernat Mega Bulky. It is also 10.5 Oz/300 g. It might not be as thick or fat. Any thoughts? Thanks again!
Hi Heidi,
I feel even less than a beginner, being older to start learning (63). All the same, my son is going to Afghanistan soon, for several months. I would like to knit him an afghan, to help keep me sane till his return! I think I could undertake this pattern. I found the Bernat Blanket Yarn. My question is this: what happens to a self-striping pattern when you double strand it? I also liked the Inkwell color, which is more symmetrical in nature: not striping, but all 3 colors in every strand. Would either of these things work? Thank you!
Maggie
If you use two strands of a self-striping yarn, you have a couple options. You can be really careful and line up the beginning of each color to achieve a matching effect. You can also throw caution to the wind and let them line up however, and the effect will be something called “marled” or “marling.” This article explains a bit about what marling is if you’re curious: https://www.masondixonknitting.com/whats-great-marling/. Best of luck to your son as he’s overseas, and feel free to reach out if you’ve got more questions!
Yours in yarn,
Heidi
Do you need 8 skeins if you are doubling up the yarn? Just started and doesn’t look like 4 will be enough if doubling the yarn.
I’ve successfully knit this twice with 4 skeins Bernat Blanket yarn (300g/10.5 oz.) in Pale Grey, but based on the comments, a lot of folks’ gauge is tighter than mine. If you want to go really big with your blanket, I’d get twice as much yarn just to be safe, and then you can stop whenever you’re happy with the size. Also, if you don’t like seaming, another easy modification is to use circular needles, so you can knit a single panel of garter stitch (knit every row) as wide as you like. Hopefully this is helpful – LMK if you have more questions! -Heidi :)
Hello!
I’m a beginner and was wondering how you begin knitting with two strands. Do you just use 2 skeins at the same time?
Thanks.
Sue Ellen
You got it!
Hi Heidi,
I bought the yarn, but am wondering if I can use smaller circular needles and do it single ply. If so, what size do you recommend? Would 13 or 15 work? I have only knitted a few times and I like circular.
Thank you!
Sheri
This pattern is sections of garter stitch (knit every row) and stockinette stitch (knit one row purl one row), so you can do this pattern at any size you wish and holding however many strands of yarn as you wish. But as with all knitting, it’s up to the knitter (not the designer) to do her own math when adjustments such as these are made. Useful phrases to google for a newbie knitter looking to grow and learn about this subject are “gauge swatch” “knitting tension” and “getting gauge.” I wish you the best on your knitting journey, it’s a whole lot of fun!
Hello Heidi. I have made all 3 panels. Now I need to stitch them together. Did you use the Bernat Blanket for your mattress stitch or something less bulky and stronger? Can you tell me which yarn you used if it’s not the same as the yarn for the blanket? Thank you so much! Sanya
I used the same yarn as the blanket ☺️
Hi! Can you knit this all in one rather than doing three panels? I have size 50 circular needles. How many do you think I would I need to cast on to do it that way? Thanks for the pattern!
Sure you can, and you’re welcome!
One more question: do you also cast on holding both pieces of yarn? (Does that work okay for a long tail cast?) Or do you cast on with one and then pick up the second piece of yarn before beginning to knit? Thanks!
Pretend you’re working from just one skein of yarn. Hold two strands of yarn together for 100% of every step of knitting the pattern.
Hi there! I’ve decided to give this blanket a try as my quarantine project, but I’m having a really tough time working with this yarn. I’ve started and restarted a dozen times. The yarn seems to stretch and I have unsightly loops where I should have nice clean stitches. I find it hard to hold the yarn and manage the big needles at the same time. I’m definitely a newbie so maybe I’m doing something wrong. Do you have any suggestions?
My best advice is to ensure you’re not overly tensioning the yarn as you work. This yarn is springy, which can result in needing to take extra care with tension. Best of luck!
I have finally figured out the knitting process, but just realized that I was supposed to double up on yarn. I am about 3/4 the way done with the garter panel. Any suggestions?
Oh dang! I’ve been there. :) My recs are to either: 1. Tear back and re-start, which I know isn’t everyone’s favorite. Or 2. Make a larger blanket at a tighter gauge. You can still knit it in panels, but you might need three garter and two stockinette panels to compensate for the smaller size.
Best!
Heidi
Hi! I am having trouble joining in a new ball of yarn with this project. I tried the traditional method of joining in the new yarn for a few stitches and then dropping the old yarn, but I found that knitting with four strands total left unsightly lumps in my knitting and I ended up starting over. Any tips for this? I’m a knitting newbie so apologies if this is obvious!
I’ll refer you to one of my own teenage knitting idols, Vickie Howell. Here’s her great video on working with yarn like this that should answer your Q: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8OkPuv1xu8
Hi! I am a new knitter and am hoping to make this blanket. How big does it get?
Thanks!
Anne
It depends how tight/loose you knit, but if you knit it at the listed gauge, the finished dimensions should be approximately 58 inches wide x 5 feet tall.
Hello Heidi!
I’ve ordered everything I need to get started on this project :) I just have a question, did you have issues with the stockinette panels curling? Or was the weight of the yarn enough to counter this?
If your edges are curling, you could have the side panels be garter stitch with a stockinette panel in the middle. That’s the easiest way to avoid the curl! :)
As written, it sounds like this blanket is 15 feet long! You say to knit 3 panels, each 5 feet long. That sounds excessive. Am I reading this wrong? I admit to being new to knitting, and the written instructions on a lot of patterns are not clear to me.
The long sides of each rectangle are knit together, not the short ends, so the length is still 5 feet.
The long sides are sewn together, not the short sides, so the length is still 5 feet.
Thank you for this pattern, Heidi! I’m on the first panel and have a couple of questions if you have time to respond, I’d greatly appreciate it. I was struggling with using two strands of yarn because it’s so bulky. So I stared over using one strand and it’s going better. However, I’ve already gone through 1 skein and the panel is only about 20 inches — no where close to 5 feet. Am I doing something wrong? I purchased Bernat Blanket Big 10.5 oz/300 g – 32 yards per skein. Thank you!
When you use only one strand, your gauge (a.k.a. the number of stitches and rows per inch) changes. As a beginning knitter, gauge is not a concept you have to have a perfect understanding of to have success, but using one strand of yarn versus two is like using a completely different yarn. Because of that, you’ll have to knit more rows to make a rectangle that’s 5 feet long.
Best of luck!
Heidi
If you cast on 20, you wlll have 40 loops? How big of a blanket does this become? wondering if I can cast on 10 for 20 loops and if that will make a big enough blanket?
If you cast on 20 stitches while holding two strands of yarn there will be 40 loops on your needle, comprising just 20 stitches.
The finished size of the blanket depends entirely on your yarn, needles, knitting, & seaming tension. Whether the blanket is big enough is a subjective question depending on what you’d like to make.